City projects have Pocatello leaders seeing red

Three capital projects are costing the city of Pocatello more than previously thought, according to a review by the city’s finance department.

The three projects are the new animal shelter building, the South Valley Road project and the new transit facility. Their deficits are $91,140; $442,701; and $966,473, respectively. Altogether, the three projects total up to a $1.5 million deficit.

Joyce Stroschein, the interim CFO, brought these up to the City Council as a warning and recommended measures to be taken ASAP to minimize the problem. Most of the recommendations would need budget amendments, which would internally transfer funds and could postpone parts of projects.

“It’s all about cleaning up house,” said Stroschein. “Cleaning up the project resolution because the projects have ended at this point.”

Pocatello Regional Transit Coordinator Dave Hunt was also at the City Council meeting Thursday. He told the Council he was currently looking at grant options to help the transit center’s deficit.

In the future, Stroschein said accountants would be assigned to projects to monitor and manage the financial aspects. The next major project coming up is the upgrade for the new water pollution control facility.